NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

601 episodes

Talking Taxes With a CPA: What's New in 2026 and How to Navigate Filing Season
23/03/2026 | 33 mins.
A tax expert breaks down what's new for the 2026 tax filing season and how to decide between a CPA and DIY software.

What do you actually need to know about filing your 2025 taxes? When is it actually worth hiring a CPA instead of going it alone? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola sit down with Tom O'Saben, and enrolled agent and director of tax content for the National Association of Tax Professionals, to explore what changed under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. They discuss new rules around tips, overtime pay, car loan interest deductions, and an expanded SALT deduction that could shift the math on whether itemizing makes sense for you. They also dig into how major life changes like getting married, starting a business, or moving to a new state can create unexpected tax complications — and how to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Plus: the common myths and costly mistakes that show up every year, options if you end up with a surprise tax bill, and what dealing with the IRS directly looks like now that the agency has cut more than a quarter of its staff.

Federal Income Tax Calculator and Refund Estimator 2025-2026 https://www.nerdwallet.com/taxes/calculators/tax-calculator

Best Tax Software of 2026 https://www.nerdwallet.com/taxes/learn/best-tax-software

IRS Free File: What It Is, How It Works https://www.nerdwallet.com/taxes/learn/irs-free-file-tax-preparation-help

Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].

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Why Credit Report Errors Are Harder to Fix and How to Prepare for Involuntary Early Retirement
19/03/2026 | 36 mins.
Learn how to prepare for early retirement and deal with credit report errors that won’t go away.

Why are credit report errors getting harder to fix? How do you prepare for retirement if you may have to stop working earlier than expected? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss early retirement planning to help you understand how to build a backup plan before an income shock forces your hand. But first, news writer Anna Helhoski joins Sean Pyles to discuss ProPublica’s reporting on weaker Consumer Financial Protection Bureau oversight and credit bureau complaint handling with Joel Jacobs, data reporter at ProPublica. They discuss falling relief rates at Experian and TransUnion, how errors can damage borrowing and housing options, and what records to keep when you challenge a mistake.

Then, after a prompt from listener Lisa, Sean and Elizabeth discuss preparing for an early or forced retirement. They discuss how to pressure-test your nest egg with a CFP, how tools like the 72(t) rule and Social Security can help cover an income gap before age 59½, and how part-time work, lower debt, and cheaper housing can make an unexpected retirement more manageable.

Thrivent article: https://www.thrivent.com/insights/social-security/social-security-break-even-point-what-it-is-how-to-calculate-yours#how-to-calculate

Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].

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Points and Miles vs Cash Back: Pick a Credit Card That Matches Your Spending
16/03/2026 | 31 mins.
Learn how to choose your next credit card by weighing airline perks, annual fees, and simple cash back rewards.

How do you choose a credit card when the options feel endless? Should a family of four choose an airline credit card or a more flexible rewards card? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss travel rewards and everyday rewards to help you understand how to match a card to your real spending habits. Joined by credit card Nerd Sara Rathner, they discuss how co-branded airline cards differ from general travel cards, why store cards can be risky if you carry a balance, and how cash back cards can reward everyday spending like groceries and dining. They also discuss budgeting for annual fees, reevaluating cards at renewal time, tracking a sign-up bonus spending deadline without overspending, and what can happen to your credit score if you cancel or downgrade a card.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

NerdWallet’s 2026 Best-Of Awards Winners: Credit Cards

Best Travel Credit Cards of March 2026

Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards of March 2026

Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year

Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card

American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits

American Express Blue Cash Preferred Review

AmEx Blue Cash Everyday Review: Rewarding, for no annual fee

Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.
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Does Your Retirement Portfolio Match Your Values? Plus: Apple’s New MacBook Neo
12/03/2026 | 31 mins.
Learn what chip shortages could mean for tech prices and how to align your target-date fund with your values.

Will chip shortages make laptops and phones more expensive? How can you make a Roth 403(b) target-date fund reflect your politics and values? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss values-based retirement investing to help you understand how to check what’s inside your portfolio and what options you have when your workplace plan feels limiting. But first, news editor Rick VanderKnyff and personal finance writer Tommy Tindall join Elizabeth to discuss the latest consumer tech headlines. They discuss the tentative Live Nation/Ticketmaster settlement and what it could change about fees, Apple’s new lineup including the budget MacBook Neo, and how an AI-driven memory chip crunch could push up PC and smartphone prices.

Then, investing Nerd Bella Avila joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss how to make your retirement portfolio better match your values without having to pick individual stocks. They discuss ways to find the “nested” funds and holdings inside a target-date fund, how to use tools like AI and third-party screeners to spot value conflicts and double-check what you find, and alternatives that may offer more control such as an IRA, a self-directed brokerage option in your plan, direct indexing, or a robo-advisor.

Subscribe to MoneyNerd, our weekly email newsletter, at https://moneynerd-nerdwallet.beehiiv.com/

Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Frugal Fatigue Is Real: How to Stop Saving Burnout and Start Spending on Purpose
09/03/2026 | 22 mins.
Learn how to build a budget with room for fun so you can save money without guilt.

How can you save toward big goals without letting frugality turn into burnout? How do you stop shaming yourself for spending on fun? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola respond to a listener named Michael who’s skipping trips, staying in, and feeling guilty whenever they spend. Joined by personal finance writer Kim Palmer, they unpack frugal fatigue and money shame, explore how “money stories” and scarcity mindset can fuel obsessive saving, and share practical ways to budget for joy.

Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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About NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

NerdWallet’s trusted finance journalists answer real-world money questions to help you make smarter financial decisions with confidence. Each episode dives deep into topics like budgeting, saving, investing, home buying, and credit cards, cutting through misinformation to bring you clear, actionable advice backed by thorough research. By the end of every episode, you’ll have the latest financial insights and the tools you’ll need to manage your money wisely, build wealth, and plan for life’s milestones. And if you have questions for the Nerds, you can leave them a voicemail at 901-730-6373. Join hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, Elizabeth Ayoola, and other expert Nerds as they answer your biggest money questions and share strategies to help you build wealth and reach your financial goals, including: – Investing: Advanced investment strategies, integrating ETFs and mutual funds into a diversified portfolio, tax-efficient retirement planning, understanding Roth IRA conversions, and navigating robo-advisors. – Credit Cards: Top credit cards for travel rewards and luxury perks, balance transfer strategies, maximizing credit card points, and optimizing credit card usage to boost your credit score. – Personal Finance: Advanced budgeting tips, building generational wealth, creating effective savings plans, managing high-income expenses, and developing a strong money growth mindset. – Home: Smart strategies for homebuying in competitive markets, leveraging home equity loans and HELOCs, refinancing for long-term savings, first-time homebuying tips, and budgeting for major home improvements. If you’re searching for the best personal finance podcasts or want practical knowledge to make smarter money decisions, then follow NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast. You’ll love NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast if you like podcasts like: Planet Money, The Personal Finance Podcast, DIY Money, Afford Anything, How to Money, The Ramsey Show, Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin, NPR’s Life Kit: Money, Popcorn Finance, Money Girl,Money Guy Show, Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, So Money with Farnoosh Tarabi, The Money with Katie Show, All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins, The Stacking Benjamins Show, MoneyWatch with Jill Schlesinger, or Your Money, Your Wealth. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539 NMLS Consumer Access: http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

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